What's the point of nicknames? Why not just name your child the nickname to begin with?

Why would someone choose one name for their child, but then have them use only a nickname derived from that name for the rest of their lives?





Do you purposely pick names with common nicknames?





What's your stance on nicknames? Do you like them? Yay or nay? Why?|||I have always wondered the same thing! My given name sounds formal and important but my nickname sounds cute and chilidish. My parents wanted me to be able to pick which name I prefer. I think nicknames are useful because they offer individuality and options for kids that will one day be adults. Many people feel that they are "stuck" with their one given name. Other feel that their nicknames are embarrassing.


I would say that in general I do like them! Why not? :)|||Outside of work and/or other formal situations a nickname is fine, but can you imagine someone saying "President Spanky will now speak...." Basically it's just formality.

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|||what about this?:


my husband and i are about to have our first child and we're naming him after all three of his grandpas: james william alistair kato. since my husband is also a james we want to call him jack for short as he'll have the initials J, A, and K..

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|||When you name your child the nickname instead of the actual version of the name you live them no way of changing their name when they grow up if they don't like it and some nicknames don't age well anyway. For example if instead of naming your daughter Elisabeth you name her Libby you automatically prohibit her from changing her name to the numerous other n/n or have the long version.


The only reason I would pick a name with a common n/n is if the name was really unusual or weird.


I like some n/n but I hate that some people want to cut your name into pieces just b/c they are bored to say the whole thing!!!|||You asked why someone would choose one name for their child and then use only a nickname for the rest of their life.





How is that any different than giving a child a name and not using nicknames? Either way, the child has one name whether they like it or not.





It's a smart thing to use a name with many possible nicknames. What if a child doesn't like Joseph? Why shouldn't he be allowed to be Joe or Joey if he wants? Why can't Kaitlin be Kate or Katie?





I never choose names based on the potential nicknames, nor do I shy away from names that don't have possible nicknames.





Nicknames are just something that some names have, that I find to be a nice "bonus".|||I intend on giving my children full names that have the option of a nickname so that they can choose whatever they prefer to be called. Not all of my favourite names have associated nicknames though but many of them do.





My given name is Jessica and I've been called Jess, Jessie, Jessa and Jessica at varying points. I've actually gotten to the point where I don't care what someone calls me (as long as it's not Jessie...i hate that one). The opportunity to have a nickname is also helpful if the child ends up in a class with another child by the same name. Instead of beind Madelyn S. and Madelyn J. they can be Maddy and Madelyn (or anything else you can come up with like Elyn, Elly, Addy, Adelyn etc).|||They don't use one nickname derived from that name for the rest of their lives.





It's really common for people to be called Johnny as little boys and John as men.





I call my husband Mike. Professionally he's always Michael.





My son's name is Daniel. You're not seriously suggesting I should have named him Peanut, are you?





I avoided names with common nicknames which I hated, but that was as far as I went. I'd never name a child a nickname, especially not a really childish, informal-sounding one.|||I like to pick longer, more professional sounding names that have cute nickname options so that the child will have a choice.





As a baby/child it can be cute to have a little Ellie, Maggie, or Addie but as they grow older and start a career, they may want a more substantial name like Eleanor, Magdalene or Adeline.|||Because having the name Ellie or Charlie on legal papers will make it very difficult for your child to be taken seriously. I pick names with nicknames I love. No one is going to call their child Charles or James their entire life, unless they live in the 19th century.





I love nicknames. It's a social thing - only your closest friends and family get to call you by your nickname.|||I don't really care if someone gives there kid a name but calls them something else. Sometimes parents like the longer version of the name (Lillian, etc) but others start calling them the nickname and it sticks. Plus there are people who have just the short name (alex) but everyone automatically assumes their name is alexander and thats probably pretty annoying too.|||Most people, like if they had a name like Caroline, there's ALWAYS going to be another one. So they go by Carly or Carrie, to escape ''Caroline S. %26amp; Caroline X.'' My name is Mary-Elizabeth, and I go by Mary. My mothers name is Mary-Grace %26amp; she still goes by Gracie.











But, there was never another Mary-Elizabeth in the school. Never. I thought it was ugly and long. I still do.. But I like Mary %26amp; Elizabeth alone.|||Nicknames are affectionate, youthful and intriguing. An example: I love the name Leo for a boy. Leo sounds more professional and steady than the nickname Lee. Another example is you screen name Fizzy! That's a nickname for Fiona - which is better? Fizzy or Fiona? :)|||My daughters name is Lillian- but most of the time goes by Lilly. We chose to give her the more formal "Lillian" so she has the option to go by that when she's an adult-but for right now, we chose to call her Lilly. Some people just like the nickname and the formal version :)|||Nicknames make sense because some names sound too grown up for a child. Therefore the name is shortened to a nick name. But then, when the child is older they have the option of calling themselves their nickname or their proper name.|||It gives them options.





You may think it's cute to call your kid by a nickname as a child(or her whole life) but she will grow up some day and I bet you she'd much rather write down "Elizabeth" than "Lizzie" on a job application.|||my friends nickname is AJ. he went by that his entire life


but when he started his career, he started going by Anthony..


its more professional|||I like them sometimes.|||Because it gives the child a choice.